Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1887-06-09
GOALS or FIRE.
by WILL NJ. MURRAY.

$50 you are determined 10 do as your
mother did; marry before you are old
enough to know your own mind?"
The reply was very firmly uttered, "Yes,
sir.
The old gentleman turned his keen eyei
upon his nephew's face.
"What is the girls name?"
"Annie Grant"
annie! Grant-ah!-wasn't that the
mans name who was arrested for forgery,
and died in prison, short time ago?"
"Yes, sir; and if 1 could, would only
love her more for the trouble she has gone
through"
"Well, sir, as you make your bed, you
must lie ON it! Marry this girl-disgrace
yourself by connection with n forger's
family; but never come snivelline to me for
help"
The sensitive lips under the soft mus
tache quivered.
"Oh, uncle, Twill never ask you for help,
indeed; but don't turn from me in anger"
But the only answer was stern "Go!"
Reginald Hart was the son of Dr. Will
toms only sister. Since his mothers death
he had been brought up by his uncle to
consider himself his heir. He was an active,
energetic young man, and in preference to
a college career had decided to enter bust
ness life. He was only twenty-five, and
for two years had known and loved Annie
Grant.
AS DR.. Wilton had said, her father had
| been convicted of forgery, and imprisoned.
leaving his motherless and more than faith
cries daughter almost overcome by the
dreadful blow.
Reginald knew his uncle's aversion to
his marrying; but he determined, come
what would, to make the stricken girl his
wife, and be able, as her husband, to COM
fort her.
SO they were quietly married.
1t would have been hard to imagine q
happier couple in the stateliest halls than
in three small rooms which were all their
modest income could afford.
| a few years passed on. 1t was rumored
that the old Doctor was about TO enter into
q matrimonial alliance with one of society's
most brilliant ornaments. Many times had
his elegant carriage swept past Reginald
and his wife as they walked to and from
church.
But Regnald's pride kept him from ever
seeking his uncle, and so the breach was
not healed.
One evening Reginald came into his cozy
home, where his wife and little one sat
before the cheerful fire, in great excite
ment.
Annie's sweet voice stopped its lullaby,
as she looked up.
"Why, Regy, what is the matter?"
"Matterl Why, the bank in which all
my uncle's fortune is deposited has failed!'
Annie rose, and laying the little girl in
her cradle, came and stood by her hus-
bands side.
Reginald, what shall you do?"
"Annie, it seems like retribution."
"Poor old gentleman!"
The young husband looked up into his
wife's eyes, and red the thought that was
in her heart.
The great mansion looked very gloomy
to the passer-by; and alone in his room,
with his head bowed over two letters, was
the old doctor.
The first was short note from the bril-
liant but heartless woman who had pre-
tended to love him in spite of his gray
hairs.
Fool that l was!" he murmured, ms he
tore the perfumed note in hundred pieces.
The other read thus:
DEAR UTcLE-Let bygones be bygones
have happy home, and there is room for one
more Come to your nffectionato nephew,
"REdINAuD HART"
Some time passed, and Reginald re.
ceived no answer to his letter, and they
heard that his uncle's house was to be
sold by.auction.
1t was dark and stormy night preceding
the day of the sale. In his room, with the
curtains drawn, and no fire on the cherries.
hearth, sat DR.. Wilton. All he had wa:
gonc-at one fell blow. knowing his re.
sources, he had carelessly contracted debts
and now he was unable TO pay them
What should he do?
The bent figure, with its white head
wearily lifted itself, and going to the win
dow drew back the curtain.
The old man stood there for whil
watching the few travellers plodding alon,
through the rain. Perhaps some of thes
people would whisper through his hall
!, tomorrow, while he-where would he b,
then?
He slowly walked across the long room
to an cscritoire which stood at the farthe
end. In il lay an end to trouble; his han,
is on the knob, when pattor of little fee
is at the door; md running into the room
comes fairy figure with its hands full o
rose buds.
Straight to the astonished old man tn
little one runs, and then holding the rose
to him with one hand, she slides the othe
into Ais, and raises her innocent lips to b
kissed.
He is saved! Fast the tears fall down bi
face MS he clasps the soft hand tightly.
"Ah; / know; it is Reginald's child"
: "Yes. and Reginald, tool" exclaimed al
eager voice.
Annie little thought when she .old he
baby daughter what to do as she went int
the room how nearly tragedy had bee
enacted there. She never knew; and i
after years she oftentimes wondered at III
strange look which would pass over tn
old mans face when little Belle would sli
her soft hand into his.
1t was Retribution, but that dread visit
ant had come in angel guise.
IN ELABORATE AFE.dIR.
r Cincinnati Lady TO ohusbandreturne
I from a public dipner)-Was the Dime